As many of you already know, ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. ADHD is a developmental disorder because symptoms must occur in childhood; however, many adults are often diagnosed with ADHD later in life. This can happen for several reasons, including unrecognized symptoms of the disorder, protective factors that helped you succeed despite having it, or having a milder form of ADHD that was manageable for a time. Females and women may also go undiagnosed due to differences in how symptoms present compared to boys and men.

As we continue to develop and navigate the world around us, the impact of ADHD can shift. As children, we may have challenges in school, whereas in adulthood, we may face difficulties with workplace demands, personal life demands (like keeping appointments), and maintaining relationships. This can often prompt people to seek out a diagnosis from a provider.

Here are some symptoms that you may be experiencing, which could prompt a conversation with your provider about seeking a diagnosis of ADHD:

  • Carelessness and lack of attention to detail
  • Continually starting new tasks before finishing old ones
  • Poor organizational skills
  • Inability to focus or prioritize
  • Continually losing or misplacing things
  • Forgetfulness
  • Restlessness and edginess
  • Difficulty keeping quiet and speaking out of turn
  • Blurting out responses and often interrupting others
  • Mood swings, irritability, and a quick temper
  • Inability to deal with stress
  • Extreme impatience
  • Taking risks in activities, often with little or no regard for personal safety or the safety of others—for example, driving dangerously

Symptoms experienced by those with ADHD can impact how one feels about themselves, and they may feel like a failure. This can lead to symptoms of anxiety and depression. People with ADHD may also internalize their diagnosis, leading to negative feelings about themselves.

If you are struggling with any of these symptoms, there is help available. It can start with having a conversation with your primary care provider. From there, they may be able to refer you to a specialist.

You can also search for a specialist in your health insurance plan’s online directory. When looking for a doctor, seek one who has experience treating adults with ADHD. Be prepared for multiple visits, as a complete evaluation typically requires at least two visits, expect a thorough assessment.

Providers may also ask for information from family, friends, and loved ones who knew you as a developing child. This may include past reports of behaviors, school records, or other childhood records. Providers may also ask you to complete symptom checklists, clinical interviews, or behavior rating scales.

Other information that may be collected might include reports on mood and psychological tests.

In addition to assessment to obtain a diagnosis, there are also other ways to help those with ADHD or ADHD symptoms. Life coaching can be helpful to achieve personal and professional goals. Therapy can be a useful tool to discuss symptoms, behaviors, and feelings. Psychotropic medication can also aid in the management of ADHD. Lifestyle changes such as diet modifications and increased exercise may also improve symptoms of ADHD.

If you are an adult who is struggling with some of the symptoms listed above, Capital EAP can help you with exploring effective tools for management in tandem to seeing your healthcare provider or until you are able to connect with your healthcare provider for an assessment. You can reach us at 518-465-3813 to talk to our intake team who will connect you to an EAP Counselor, we are happy to help.

By: Meryl Tremblay, LMSW, EAP Counselor